Feature request: creating empty disk images through libretro interface

[ofry]

Related to #43 (comment)

It can "work" in PC. But if I launch core from some hacked game console with CFW? Or I have Lakka without direct access to shell etc.?

etc. etc.

Related to #90. If we have libretro SRAM interface, so all "new-created empty disks with some content placed by core" we can store via libretro SRAM interface.

[cayce-msx]

Sure, I can build this. But just out of curiosity: what would you use this functionality for on a game console (without physical keyboard)?

Note that a virtual keyboard is not there (see #22 - would require a modification to RetroArch itself) so there would be no way to enter a BASIC program - which is the only thing you can do with an empty disk; an empty disk makes an MSX boot into the MSX-BASIC prompt (REPL, to use a more modern term ;).

[gingerbeardman]

Some games require an empty user disk for saves.

eg. The Golf (1989, Pack-In-Video)

https://www.generation-msx.nl/software/pack-in-video/the-golf/1121/

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/msx/953282-the-golf/faqs/77373/loading

[cayce-msx]

Ah. That would only be useful for multidisk games. I just implemented that using m3u files. Adding an empty disk to that set beforehand would seem more intuitive to me. But, if you guys really think you can benefit from it I'll whip up some code. There's an RGUI menu option to append a fresh image to the set. Note that I have no way of saving that, since there is no file name given. That'll have to wait until #90.

[cayce-msx]

Hey @ofry @gingerbeardman I just pushed an implementation for this at https://github.com/cayce-msx/fmsx-libretro/tree/create-empty-disk-images. Could you compile & test that, to see if this is what you are looking for? If you're not able to build yourself, I could also directly send a PR to autechre, but preferably I'd first have your feedback before doing that. Otherwise just scroll through the code (I'm hoping you both can read C?). Be sure to also verify the new section 'Creating empty disk images' in the readme against your expectations.

Note: I'll look at #90 separately.

[gingerbeardman]

I'm away for holiday break right now so can't build for a week. FWIW

[ofry]

@cayce-msx could you do this for cassette tape too?

[cayce-msx]

I'll repeat what I just stated in #40: "As for tape, I'll leave that for someone else to build." This issue is about creating disk images, and I'm happy keeping that scope.

You have a way of keeping a person busy ;)

[ofry]

OK. Then you can make the PR from https://github.com/cayce-msx/fmsx-libretro/tree/create-empty-disk-images and close this issue.